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Liverpool have run into some hurdles in their efforts to recruit a defender in the closing hours of this month’s transfer window, with several of their key targets already crossed off their list of potential transfers.
Eds chief Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that club officials have finally given in to their requests for a center-back to be added to their squad ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, with Joel Matip injured in the win. Thursday night at Tottenham leaving him without a senior center. -Backs for Sunday’s trip to West Ham.
With Matip joining Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the treatment room, Liverpool owners reluctantly agreed to allow a defender to be added to Klopp’s team this month, as they abandoned their plan not to sign this month for financial reasons.
However, the late nature of Liverpool’s efforts to sign a center-back has put them in a weak negotiating position, with several major targets unavailable in the closing hours of this month’s transfer window.
With Jurgen Klopp admitting that Liverpool’s finances are tight, moves for RB Leipzig’s defensive duo, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, were scrapped earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Lille would demand a huge upfront fee for his Dutch defender Sven Botman and any deal for the highly-rated Dutchman is deemed unlikely before Monday.
Short-term loan deals are now also being considered, with World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi being an option if he can reach an agreement to terminate the remaining six months of his contract with Arsenal.
Real Madrid central defender Eder Militao has been linked to a transfer by Liverpool, but was chosen to start his game against Levente and was sent off just nine minutes after play started.
Militao may have been a viable option for Liverpool at the beginning of this transfer window, but Real Madrid now have a defensive crisis of their own and it seems unlikely that they will be allowed to leave.
Mustafi appears to be the most viable option for Liverpool as they look for a player with Premier League experience to fit directly into their side for next Wednesday’s game against Burnley and then the crucial showdown with Manchester City at Anfield next weekend. of week.
Anfield sources have told the Sunday World that “various options” are being considered, while we are also told that there is growing expectation that Virgil van Dijk will be able to play again this season as he recovers from a knee injury.
Van Dijk’s name is expected to be added to Liverpool’s updated Premier League and Champions League squads for the second half of this season, and Anfield’s medical chiefs are highly encouraged by the progress he’s making at their base. training in Dubai.
Liverpool have also received a big boost, as Fabinho is expected to be fit to face Manchester City in next weekend’s crucial top-of-the-table clash.
The Brazilian missed the midweek win at Tottenham and has been ruled out for Sunday’s trip to West Ham United, but Klopp is hopeful he can return next Sunday.
“It depends on the week, it could also be four games. We have to see,” Klopp said. “I think the game Fab could be back in is at City.”
Read John Aldridge’s verdict on Liverpool’s defensive crisis in the Sunday World newspaper this weekend.
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